# Robinson Secondary School

James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School, commonly known as Robinson Secondary School, is a six-year public school in the Fairfax, Virginia, a Northern Virginia suburb southwest of Washington, D.C.
Opened 54 years ago in 1971, Robinson is located south of Braddock Road near George Mason University, and is administered by the Fairfax County Public Schools. It offers the International Baccalaureate program, and has approximately 3,900 students in grades 7–12. Robinson's school colors are royal blue and gold, and the school mascot is a ram.

## History

Robinson was named after Medal of Honor recipient James W. Robinson, Jr., the first resident of Virginia to be awarded the medal during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Robinson, age 25, was fatally wounded under heroic circumstances in South Vietnam fifty-nine years ago in April 1966, while serving in the infantry in the U.S. Army.
The school opened its doors in September 1971, taking its students from Fairfax, W.T. Woodson, Oakton, and West Springfield high schools. It was the second of Fairfax County's "secondary schools," or "superschools," which housed grades 7–12. Lake Braddock, which opened two years later in 1973, was the third of these schools from this era. The first was Hayfield, near Mount Vernon, which opened in 1968, and the most recent is South County in Lorton, which opened in 2005, taking its students from former Hayfield territory. South County has since reverted to high school status with the opening of South County Middle School near the school's athletic gym.

## Awards and recognitions

Robinson won the 2018–19 Wells Fargo Cup race, which is presented annually to Virginia public high schools that have "demonstrated extraordinary success in academic activities throughout the year". This is the first time Robinson has won the Wells Fargo Cup for Academics.

## Demographics

For the 2018–19 school year, Robinson's grade 9–12 student body was 59.05% White, 13.69% Asian, 14.66% Hispanic, 5.89% Black and 6.71% other races. The grade 7–8 student body was 57.46% White, 13.27% Asian, 14.92% Hispanic, 6.68% Black and 7.67% other races.

## Music Department

Robinson Secondary School has earned a reputation for musical excellence, with its ensembles frequently achieving superior ratings at state and national competitions.

### Ensembles and Offerings

The program includes a variety of ensembles, catering to students with diverse musical interests and skill levels:
* Bands – The school boasts several concert bands, including Symphonic Band, Concert Band, as well as an award-winning marching band known as the Robinson Marching Rams.
* Orchestras – Students can participate in multiple string orchestras, such as the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, which consistently receive high rankings in competitions.
* Choirs – The choral program features multiple vocal groups, providing students with opportunities to develop vocal technique and performance skills.
* Jazz and Contemporary Ensembles – The school offers jazz band and contemporary music groups, allowing students to explore different musical genres.

### Achievements and Recognitions

Robinson's music ensembles have been recognized at state, national, and international levels. The marching band frequently competes in the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative (VMBC) and Bands of America (BOA) events. Robinson has been recognized as a "Thirty Year Virginia Honor Band", earning a membership in the VBODA Hall of Fame. The Robinson Symphonic Band has appeared at five VMEA state conferences, one ASBDA convention, four National Concert Band Festivals and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Many students earn placements in District, Regional, and All-State Honor Ensembles. Robinson also attended the 79th annual Midwest Clinic.

### Music Education and Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced music educators who emphasize both technical proficiency and artistic expression. Students have access to private instruction, masterclasses, and workshops led by professional musicians.

## LSD scandal

In 1991, Robinson was the center of an LSD trafficking scandal in which a drug ring sold more than 100,000 doses of LSD over two years. The ring was exposed when a 16-year-old Robinson student shot and wounded a Fairfax police officer. In the course of the investigation it was revealed that six Robinson and Lake Braddock graduates were receiving large quantities of the drug through the mail. One of the men who was facing the harshest penalties faked suicide and fled the area, only to be caught two years later in St. Louis and sentenced to 24 years in prison with no possibility of parole.

## Notable alumni

* Dan Adams, former linebacker, Holy Cross and former NCAA record holder and for most unassisted tackles in a game (21)
* Samir Badr, former professional soccer player
* Bonnie X Clyde members Daniel Litman and Paige Lopynski, electronic dance musicians
* Dave Brockie, founder, guitarist, and vocalist, of Gwar
* Shawn Camp, former professional baseball player
* Drew Courtney, former professional tennis player
* Andrew Dumm, long-distance runner, winner of the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon
* Steve Dunn, former professional baseball player, Minnesota Twins
* Jill Ellis, head coach, United States women's national soccer team
* Scott Ellis, Broadway director; five-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy nominee; received the Drama Desk Award
* Dan Gill, former United States men's national artistic gymnastics team gymnast and current businessman
* John Gilstrap, thriller novelist and New York Times best selling author
* Mike Imoh, running back, Virginia Tech and Montreal Alouettes of CFL
* Lucas Kozeniesky,r standing men's 10 metre air rifle, 2016 Summer Olympics
* Jae Lee (Class of 1990) - artist, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment
* Kjell N. Lindgren, NASA astronaut who spent five months on the International Space Station as part of Expedition 44 in 2015
* Alfonso H. Lopez, former Obama administration official and member, Virginia House of Delegates
* Javier López, former professional baseball player, San Francisco Giants
* Carmen Lynch, stand-up comedian
* Megan McCarthy, former international soccer player
* Rob Muzzio, two Time NCAA Decathlon Champion, 5th-place in Decathlon in 1992 Summer Olympics
* Rob Olson, former international soccer player
* Joel Patten, tight end and tackle at Duke, NFL tackle with Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, and L.A. Raiders. USFL tackle with the Washington Federals and Orlando Renegades.
* Alex Riley, professional wrestler
* Byron Saxton, professional wrestler
* Mike Schleibaum, guitarist, Darkest Hour
* Scott Urick, 2006 U.S. Men's National Team in World Lacrosse Championship; former Georgetown Hoyas assistant coach; current head lacrosse coach, University of the District of Columbia
* Chip Vaughn, professional football player, Saskatchewan Roughriders and New Orleans Saints
* Brandon Wardell, stand-up comedian
* Chris Warren, professional football player, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks
* Kevin Whitaker, former U.S. ambassador to Colombia